Smith was full go in practice despite wearing a bulky brace that extended from his lower to upper left arm.

"He looked pretty good," center Jonathan Goodwin said. "He did some things today, and he was in the drills."

Smith returned to practice Thursday for the first time since he suffered a partially torn triceps tendon against the Patriots on Dec. 16. That, along with a bone spur in his left elbow, caused Smith to miss the 49ers' final two regular-season games.

Smith said Thursday that he intends to play in the 49ers' first playoff game Jan. 12 at Candlestick Park.

The fact he isn't shying away from contact bodes well for that happening.

Left offensive tackle Joe Staley said he is counting on Smith to be back for the playoffs.

"He's all about the team," Staley said. "I know Justin; he wants to play. He will play. He'll give it his all. He's only missed two games in 12 years, so the guy has played through pain in his life. If he can go out there and help our team, he'll do that."

For anyone wondering how kicker David Akers might hold up in the playoffs, consider his clutch performance against the Green Bay Packers in a January 2004 NFC Divisional playoff game.

Akers converted a 37-yard, game-tying field-goal attempt at with 5 seconds left in regulation and added a 31-yarder in overtime to send the Philadelphia Eagles into the NFC Championship game.

Akers' next game, provided he fends off the challenge from Billy Cundiff in the next week or so, would be Jan. 12, with the winner advancing to the NFC Championship game on Jan. 20. And it just might be against those same Packers.

Akers drilled both field goals in that game after he had missed earlier from 33 yards.

Overall, Akers has kicked in 21 postseason games. He has converted 35 of 42 field-goal attempts (83.3 percent), including all four for the 49ers last season, and 46 of 47 of his extra-point attempts.

Both kickers looked sharp, with Cundiff converting from as far as 55 yards away.

Akers said Thursday that he needed injections in late November to combat inflammation as a result of a flare-up of the double sports hernia he suffered last season. He showed no signs of any lingering effects the past two days and said he feels fine.

Harbaugh indicated earlier this week that he might decide on whether to stick with Akers or switch to Cundiff after this week's sessions. The 49ers don't practice again until Tuesday.

Wide receiver Michael Crabtree did it twice. Then running back Frank Gore copied him, albeit only once. Yet, both were fined $10,500 for safety violations by throwing footballs into the stands after their touchdowns Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

The fines shouldn't come as a surprise. When Crabtree celebrated in such fashion, Fox Sports rules analyst Mike Pereira tweeted that league policy dictates a $10,000 fine would be forthcoming.

The reason: Throwing a ball into the stands creates a potential crowd control problem and thus a safety issue. However, if a player hands the ball or tosses it to a particular fan, that is allowed.

Tom Gamble, the 49ers director of player personnel, is expected to be hired as the Jets general manager, according to ProFootballTalk.com. Gamble reportedly will interview with the Jets on Saturday, according to the New York Daily News and CSN Bay Area.

Brent Celek, the older brother of 49ers rookie tight end Garrett Celek, plans on attending the 49ers first playoff game.

Brent Celek has played for the Eagles the past six seasons and caught 280 passes from his tight end spot.

"I'm probably going to wear their colors," Brent Celek told 49ers.com. "That's about it ... no team gear."